She closed her eyes and nodded. After a moment she said, “Tell me the truth. Do you want me as your wife? Or is this simply to protect me?”
“Yes, I want you as my wife,” Darius said without hesitation. “If you want the truth, from the first moment I saw you, I wanted you in my life. But then I learned what my uncle expected of me, and I didn’t feel I was allowed to want you for myself. The issues of society did not help matters. But through it all, I still wanted you with me, and the thought of losing you to one of those damned suitors only made me realize I was a fool for not listening to my heart. I never want to fail you, not in any way.”
“You haven’t failed me. I was wrong to say that you hadn’t stood up for me with Lady Mary.”
“That will never happen again,” he promised, a vengeful gleam taking hold in his piercing blue eyes.
“You cannot promise that.”
“I certainly can. I intend to visit Lady Mary today and make it clear to her that anyone who comes after my wife will be dealing with me.”
My wife. Why did that sound so wonderful even uttered as part of a growling threat?
“You do not need to threaten her.”
“I’m afraid I do. The damned woman won’t take me seriously otherwise.” Darius sat up a little. “And believe me, I shall enjoy it. That woman has ruled London’s ballrooms with too much unchecked privilege.” He leaned down and kissed her again. “Now, rest if you wish, but I must rise.”
He slipped out of bed, delightfully naked, and she sat up to better see his backside and muscular thighs. His body was a work of art that would make any sculptor weep. Darius collected his clothes and dressed, then flashed her one more smile before he slipped out of her bedchamber.
Meredith covered her face with her hands to hide her giddy smile as she flopped back onto the bed. Being in love was quite wonderful.
Darius sent word to his friend to meet him at his townhouse for dinner, then called for his horse. Once his groom had his horse ready, he rode to the Raikes’s townhouse and presented his card to their butler. He had only to wait a few moments before he was ushered into the drawing room. One did not leave a duke waiting after all.
Lady Mary smiled demurely as she and her mother greeted him at the entrance.
“Your Grace, we are delighted to have you pay a call, even if it is a bit early,” Lady Raikes said. “Dare I hope that means you are here out of an eagerness to see my daughter?”
Darius smiled coolly at Lady Mary and her mother. “Eagerness is not the word I would use. Determined would be a more appropriate choice.”
“Determined?” Lady Raikes glanced between her daughter and Darius in confusion.
“Yes, you see, your daughter has done something quite foolish.” Darius held Lady Mary’s gaze as he continued. “She chose to make an enemy of me.”
Lady Raikes tried to intervene. “Your Grace, I’m certain my daughter would never—” Darius held up a hand to silence the woman, eyes locked on his target.
“You spoke ill of my ward, Miss Montague, two nights past. I suspect you said even more to other people, including a number of gentlemen who have no honor. Yesterday, my ward was approached by two such men who had heard rumors about her and was attacked.”
“She was unharmed, surely?” Lady Raikes asked, her eyes wide. Darius suspected she was not fully aware of her daughter’s poisonous words.
Lady Mary, however, did not ask after Meredith’s health. Her eyes gleamed with triumph and that made Darius furious. He could have strangled the woman for that evil joy so clearly showing on her face.
“She was thankfully unharmed, thanks to the efforts of myself and others, but the damage to Gunter’s confectioner’s shop was severe. Given that your daughter has put Miss Montague in danger”—he paused, looking at both women—“I have decided to finally act upon my feelings and marry Miss Montague.”
The fire in Lady Mary’s eyes grew hot enough to burn. “You’re marrying her?”
“Yes, and I wanted you to be the first to hear the good news. I have you to thank, Lady Mary. Your lack of kindness and your petty jealousy have done what you wished would not happen.” Darius took great satisfaction at the way the blood drained from Lady Mary’s face.
“But you cannot!” Lady Mary insisted. “You are a duke, and she…is no one. A bastard. A?—”
“Take care how you speak of my future wife, Lady Mary. Any word or deed done against her I will consider to be done against me. And you may ask anyone who has done me wrong that my retribution does not come lightly.”
“But—” Lady Mary sputtered.
“Hush, you stupid girl,” Lady Raikes hissed. She turned to Darius, humble and apologetic. “My daughter will not bother you or the future Duchess of Tiverton again.”
“Good. See to it she doesn’t,” Darius warned. “Because if she does, my justice will be swift and unforgiving.”
Lady Raikes nodded frantically in acquiescence to his command.
